Examining challenges towards effectively addressing continual air pollution reduction since democracy in the South Durban Industrial basin, KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

The South Durban Industrial Basin is known for being the industrial hub of Durban in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Racial zoning during the apartheid era resulted in environmental racism where residents living in this Basin were exposed to increasing levels of air pollution due to industrial development. These residents vocalised their concerns by calling for air pollution reduction strategies and mobilisation of the community and experienced limited, unsuccessful engagements with major polluting industries. This study aimed to identify the challenges that prevail post 1994 in addressing air pollution in the Basin including to what extent local governance held polluting industries accountable and how key stakeholders (i.e. civil society, government and industry) worked collectively to address air pollution. The study used a qualitative research approach by making use of semi-structured interviews with key participants from industry, local government and civil society. The study revealed that civil society has been instrumental in their fight against air pollution since the 1960s and since democracy had prompted the implementation of meaningful air pollution monitoring and reduction strategies such as the Multi-Point Plan. They have, however, been met with numerous challenges from local government and industry that stood in the way of collectively addressing air pollution risks. The results revealed that lack of political will and poor governance have led to the deterioration of air quality in the SDIB, especially since 2010, exacerbated by industry’s lack of willingness to engage with the local community to reduce air pollution. Without meaningful communication and collaboration between local government and industry towards SDIB communities and civil society generally, these stakeholders may not collectively address air pollution risks